On the topic of Love, Connection, Empathy, and the difficult work of grappling with good and evil… In this time of Holi, Purim, Ramadan, and the season of Lent, I find myself contemplating the way I feel my way through life, teetering between heartache when the world seems cold, and the joy and sweetness of compassion when human connection and empathy are revealed in even a moment.
Just as these holidays have narratives of joy and drowning out hate, there is also a theme of exploring what good and evil mean. Sometimes it is a fine line, and we all hold complexities that cannot simply be categorized in the “good guy/bad guy”, “us/them” dichotomy.
The times that a stranger smiles at my dog, that moment is a spark of light. No words exchanged, no political purity tests scrutinized. When I’m trying to do 20 minutes of virtual exercise during a busy day, it costs me nothing but some positive energy to high five another person in the class and try not to judge who they are.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is, at it’s essence, about acknowledging how people in every situation are experiencing something different. (particularly when barriers can be eliminated). This, to me, is about continuously growing in awareness, the capacity to give a $h*t, and the actions that follow, (including learning, listening, strategy and adjusting systems to widen access).
There will always be a push/pull between idealized versions of equity and the arguments of impracticality, but I am still hopeful that if there is empathy and care, the dark heavy curtains of ignorance won’t create distance between people, but will shed layers to become more transparent and allow a glimpse into the lives of others.
Working at colleges and universities for many years, I took for granted the fact that there are individuals and professional roles who pay attention to the care for many people facing barriers, and to be creative in finding a better way forward. This week, I was thinking a lot about young people aging out of the foster system. The few who made it to college had a lot of support to get there (including govt agencies and non-profits with federal grants), and then during their time at a college or university, there is staff paying attention to shifting the language we used to use for “parents weekend” for example, and how to support students who don’t have anywhere to go for holiday breaks from classes. Even if most students have families, families take many forms and it costs very little to Think Inclusive. This is DEI. It may start as one student facing a challenge, and in the end, it benefits so many and can impact something so tangible as graduation rates.
As Winter turns to Spring, I have hope that all of our hearts will warm and the concrete lines of ‘us’ and ‘them’ will blur just a bit so we can see a way forward, together. I am calling on myself to see the good in others.
Happy Purim, Happy Holi, Ramadan Mubarak, a meaningful Lent, and an abundant Spring!
#IdentityConscious #DEI #FosterCare #HigherEd #Love #Unity #Equity #ThinkInclusive
